Psychology 2316: Psychology of Personality
Spring 2013, Spring Branch Campus, 9:30-11 a.m. MW
CRN: 32004, Room 206
INSTRUCTOR: Jeanne Spaulding
HCC EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER: jeanne.spaulding@hccs.edu, 713 718-5526.
OFFICE HOURS: 11-12:30 MW in office AD5, 3:30-4 pm. in room 206 and by appointment.
Tuesday and Thursday at Alief campus, I have classes from12:30 to 3:30.
Psychology Department Webpage: http://learning.hccs.edu. Go to Learning Web, Subjects, Psyc 2316. For
my website go to learning web, faculty, Spaulding.
PREREQUISITE: Psyc 2301 or permission of the instructor. Students should have completed Eng. 1301 before taking
this course. Case essays will be 25% of the grade.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS: In this course you’ll learn about normal and abnormal personality, with the focus
on the abnormal. In order to better understand personality, the early portion of this course will look at the major
theoretical approaches to understanding personality. This will be followed by a look at psychological assessment and the
diagnostic criteria for the different disorders. We will also discuss issues such as the insanity plea and psychological
disorders among the homeless.
Upon Completion of this course, you should:
1. Understand the major theories of personality and how they apply to both normal and abnormal behavior.
2. Understand the methods of research and assessment that are unique to the study of mental disorders.
3. Be able to describe the diagnostic criteria for most of the major mental disorders in both adults and children.
4. Understand the issues relating to prevention and treatment of mental disorders, as well as current social issues such
as the insanity plea and homelessness.
TEXTBOOKS: Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan. (2011) (Ab)normal Psychology, Fifth Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill. There were
13 binder copies available on January 9, 2012.
Hardback Purchase PriceBuy used online.
Loose leaf Purchase Price$106.60 used
Loose leaf purchase price
142.15 new
We will discuss this in class. You could temporarily use the 4th Edition which is very cheap online ($3 and up). But the
order of pages and chapters is different, and it is missing about 8% new material. There will be a set of Learning
Objectives online that you will need to print out, learn and understand. Bring them to class when we review for a test. You
download the objectives off of the HCC Northwest Learning Web: faculty/Spaulding/ 2316.
The publisher website: www.mhhe.com/nolen5 is not available right now.
HCC Policy Statement – ADA Services to Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange
reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office:
Northwest ADA Counselor – Lisa Parkinson, LPC at – 713.718.5422. Her office is the first one on the right as you come in
the main entrance off the Beltway 8.
Mahnaz Kolaini, MS, LPC is the lead counselor and very good.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that
student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each
student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our
system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's
Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. It is my policy to give an F/0 on the first occasion and an F in the
course if any of the below occurs a second time.
Cheating on a test includes: Copying from another students’ test paper. Using materials such as extra notes that not
authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has
not been administered;
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own
written work offered for credit. This includes paraphrasing a source without citing the source and page number. It also
means copying the work of another student!
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. Possible
punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course,
and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best way to succeed in this
class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in student success is attendance. Class attendance is
checked daily. Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including the first week,
you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend in class who would be willing to share class
notes or discussion or be able to hand in a paper if you unavoidably miss a class. If you have a question, you may email
me.
Tardiness and leaving early: This is disruptive to the class and thus will be noted on the official attendance forms. If you
feel you have a valid reason, please discuss it with me outside of class time or by email. As with absences, it is the
student’s responsibility to ask if there were handouts or special announcements and get the notes from another student.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
When you begin to have trouble in the class, please contact me to discuss any academic or person problem that is
interfering with your success in the class. I may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to
complete the course. Your success is very important to me. You also need to realize that if you have more than SIX total
course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree, there will be financial
consequences.
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw yourself from the course prior to the final
date of withdrawal (April ). You may withdraw yourself online OR contact a HCC counselor. I sometimes withdraw those
who have stopped attending
Repeat Course FeeThe State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes.
To increase student success and protect the taxpayer, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are
required to pay extra tuition. HCC charges a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a
course. I am willing to help avoid withdrawing if you ask me to help as early as possible. I can help you improve your
study habits, improve your reading and writing skills and test taking skills.
International Students
Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the course, it will not be
changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520, if
you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Classroom Behavior
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning
environment for everyone. I take this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior
makes it difficult for me to carry out this task. If a disruption of class continues, it is my policy to move the student to
another part of the room and, if necessary, withdraw the student from the class.
Use of cell phones, cameras and/or recording Devices. To show respect of your fellow students and instructor, you
will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these devices in the classroom unless you
receive permission from the instructor. All cell phones must be turned off and put in your backpack/bag on the
floor during a test or going over a test. Otherwise you will get a 0 / F on a test.
You may use a laptop computer or tablet to take class notes and use an e-Text. But it is inconsiderate of others
and not helpful to learning to use them to surf the web or use Face Book. If they are open while we are going over
a test or quiz, you may get a 0 on that test or quiz. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a
reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable
accommodations
GRADING SYSTEM:
3 Tests 50 M/C question, 50 points each (No Make-ups!)
One case report
In-class quizzes, activities and assignments
Final exam: 50 questions
A=270-300 points or 90%
B=240-269 points or 80%
150 points
75 points
25 points
50 points
300 points
C=210-239 points or 70%
D=180-209 points or 60%
There will be no make-up exams without a documented emergency. Then arrangements will be made to take a
harder exam two weeks before the end of class.
Extra credit (up to 15 points) can be earned by writing out the answers to the learning objectives and handing them in just
before each test. Relevant outside lectures or activities may be used for extra credit with approval of the instructor, but the
maximum is still 15 points.
Spring 2012 CLASS SCHEDULE FOR PSYC 2316, 9:30-11 MW
Jan.14 Introduction and Chapter 1: Looking at Abnormality. Read the whole chapter, but there will be only a few details
on pages 9-15 will be on the test.
Jan.16 Finish Chapter 1 and start Chapter 2: Theories and treatment of Abnormality. Please read Chapter 1 and ½ of
Chapter 2 so you can pick out two favorite theories.
Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Day Holiday
Jan. 23 *Chapter 2: Theories and Treatment of Abnormality. *see the handout for the Assignment on your favorite
theory in Chapter 2 and why (1-2 pages typed) with group presentation and class discussion (15 points). Sign-up today
and meet with groups.
Jan. 28 Begin group presentations on biological theories and treatments, and behavioral approaches and treatment (see
prof. about treatment.) Print out the Learning Objectives for Chapters1-4 and discuss the review sheet.
Jan. 30 *Give your group presentations on Cognitive theories, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches. Lecture on
Family systems,emotion-focused, sociocultural approaches. All written reports on this assignment are due today, or lose 2
points per class.
Feb. 4
Feb. 6
Chapter 3: Assessing and Diagnosing Abnormality and demonstration of personality tests..
Chapter 4: the Research Endeavor. Skip 101-104.
Feb. 11 Review for Test 1.Bring your Learning Objectives. Discuss extra credit.
Feb. 13 *Test I: Chapters 1-4. Bring Scantron and pencil. Hand in extra credit on Learning Objectives at the
beginning of class, and pick it after you finish the exam.
Feb. 18 President’s day, no classes. Read Chapter 5 on Anxiety Disorders
Feb. 20. Chapter 5: Anxiety disorders. Read pages 467-470 on stress. How does this relate to anxiety? Look though the
cases on anxiety, mood and dissociative disorders.
Feb. 25 Finish Chapter , and watch patients with anxiety disorders. We will go over Test I.
Feb. 27 Finish Anxiety disorder videos. We will discuss the case report guidelines. Skim over the disorders covered
in Chapters 5-9 and choose two possible choices.
Mar. 4 Discuss the choices then Sign up for the disorder you will write about for your Case Report. Read Chapter 6:
Somatoform and Dissociative. Begin reading your case.
Mar. 6 Finish Chapter 6 and begin Chapter 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide. You will meet with others who are doing the
same case.
March 11-16 Spring Break. Start your case report after carefully reading the guidelines and the case
Mar. 18 Mood disorder and videos. Create your case notes or outline
Mar. 20 Review for Test II. Remember to bring your Learning Objectives for the Test Review. Go over guidelines for
case report. Make sure you follow the case report format carefully.
Mar. 25 *Test II: Chapters 5-7. Remember to bring your extra credit and pick it up the test.
Mar. 27 * Go over test II. Chapter 8: Schizophrenia. If you have less than 85 points, you might consider withdrawing from
the course. Discuss this after class with Prof. Spaulding
Monday, April 1st: ** Last day for you to withdraw from the class by 4:30 p.m.
Apr. 1 Chapter 8: Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders with videos and discussion.
Apr. 3 Chapter 9: Personality Disorders with videos.
Apr. 80Finish Chapter 10. Review DSM-IV Criteria and test review. *
Apr. 15 * Group Discussions on Cases, you must have a rough draft to get the full 10 points. Review for Test III.
Apr. 17 *Test III: Chapters 8-10.
Apr. 22 *Hand in one typed case report. If it is late, you will lose 2 points on Wednesday Apr. 24, and 4 points
on April 29th. It will not be accepted after Nov. 30th and you will lose 6 points. Go over multiple-choice . Start Chapter
11. Chapter 11: Cognitive Disorders and life span issues. Skip chapter 12.
Apr. 24 Brief coverage of Chapter 13 Sexual Disorders and Gender Identity Disorders (certain parts only, note the page
numbers on the review). Chapter 17: Substance-Related Disorders (certain parts only).
Apr. 29 Brief coverage of Chapter 15: Health Psychology, Chapter 16: Mental Health and the Law
May 1 Finish Chapter 16 and review for the Final Exam on Chapters 13,14,16-18.
May 6 *9:30 a.m. (Monday) *Final Exam: Chapters 11,13-16 (50 Multiple-choice). Hand in extra credit before the exam
and pick it up after. Have a great summer!
*means that there will be an assignment, group discussion or Test on that day.